Shared work places ‘best for start-ups to thrive’

EMMA NEWLANDS

MOST Scottish business owners and senior managers believe sharing a working environment with other firms is the best way for start-ups to thrive, according to research by workspace provider Regus.

The survey found that 71 per cent of those questioned see co-working as the ideal environment for fledgling businesses.

The most popular advantage identified was being far more cost-effective than a fixed office, flagged by 82 per cent, while 75 per cent highlighted the opportunity co-working offers to meet like-minded professionals from different firms.

Additionally, 68 per cent said co-working provides more inspiration than a ­traditional office setting, while the advantage with the lowest percentage at 56 per cent was more stimulus to keep skills fresh.

Scottish workspaces offering co-working include tech incubator CodeBase in Edin­burgh, which enables firms to sit with a “diverse range of developers and ­ entrepreneurs in a friendly open space” and encouraging business-led peer ­support.